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Bachchan asks fans to save water during Holi fest

The Associated Press

Updated:
03/26/2013 09:06:13 PM EDT

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FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2013 file photo, Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan speaks to the media during a charity event in Mumbai, India. Bollywood's biggest star Bachchan has asked his fans to save water during the Hindu festival of colors as several parts of western India are facing a drought. I have expressed that we play a dry Holi without water, Bachchan said on his Facebook page on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. The Holi festival is on Wednesday and is celebrated by playing with dry colors as well as colored water.

NEW DELHI—Bollywood's biggest star, Amitabh Bachchan, wants his fans to enjoy a dry Holi and save water during the Hindu festival of colors because of a drought in western India.

Bachchan said on his Facebook page Tuesday that "I have expressed that we play a dry Holi without water." The 70-year-old actor known as "Big B" posted similar notes on his other social media accounts, which are followed by millions.

The Holi festival on Wednesday is celebrated by playing with dry colors as well as colored water.

Several districts in the western Indian state of Maharashtra face severe drought after receiving far less than their usual share of rain during last year's monsoon. Local residents say they are finding it difficult to get enough drinking water, and hundreds of cattle farmers have taken their animals to government-run camps for water and fodder.

Bachchan has done more than 180 films since rising to stardom following his leading role in the 1973 film "Zanjeer," or "The Chain."

He's also the patriarch of what's known as Bollywood's first family. Wife Jaya Bachchan is an actress-turned-lawmaker, while their son, Abhishek, is also an actor and married to Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.